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During my first experience with the original Outer Worlds game, I was instantly captivated by its sarcastic, Fallout-esque brand of humor. This title included engaging exchanges, individual logs, and propaganda materials that illustrated a business-controlled nightmare that was at once bleak and humorous. My biggest worry approaching the sequel was that this version – without blame of its own – wouldn't be as funny like the original.

Sure, things weren't perfect. Yet society certainly seemed somewhat less damaged at that time. This universe showed a bleak future that didn't hit too close to home, and still managed to be simultaneously heartwarming and uproarious. I started The Outer Worlds 2 rather certain that this installment wouldn't manage to pull this off again, but I'm delighted to report that I was incorrect. This follow-up is equally laughter-provoking as the game that came earlier, and additionally brings fresh concepts rather than merely repeating similar elements similar to a overused corporate jingle.

Changing NPCs

The majority of the non-player characters gamers met in the original game had been worn out by the actions of business corporations such as Spacer's Choice, and were fully cognizant of the degree that their existence was miserable. This installment takes things in an alternative path, presenting individuals who are indoctrinated (periodically symbolically, frequently actually). Numerous NPCs don't even realize of how extremely screwed up their situations are, or that there might be options to a lifetime passed under the boot of a large business or bound by the beliefs of a high-demand religion.

The sequel investigates methods of business domination that are more deceptive than merely maintaining the population impoverished. Many NPCs have been brainwashed into the type of excessively zealous "grindset mindset" language you might encounter on online profiles that claim to disclose the path to accomplishment should you purchase an expensive course, or put money into a sketchy crypto scheme. Additionally, the title's corporate propaganda has progressed.

Contemporary Issues

There remain many demotivating signs throughout facilities threatening to dock pay from workers who even think about having a break, but furthermore exist allusions to network marketing strategies, including a staff guide that confidently announces, "Strangers are just patrons you have yet to encounter!" Being a person who developed within a network marketing environment, I immediately burst out in amusement when encountering this allusion, because it's a phrase I have regularly listened to stated precisely by people at the base of such schemes.

Thankfully, this follow-up is equally humorous and sarcastic as the original title.

The Outer Worlds 2 also examines the predicament various individuals experience regarding occupation, government, and including buying decisions: Having to pick the smaller of several poor choices. During efforts to decide whether to assist a dangerous corporate entity or a dangerous religious group throughout the experience, I discovered I was siding with the familiar evil: An established company structure that is terrible (yet merely employs advertising to program its members), instead of the cult, which is equally bad, but employs a horrible approach named "cognitive reset" to maintain its followers in line.

Unreliable Masters

Additionally, the individuals you represent may not be trustworthy. In the role of an Earth Directorate agent, your mission involves trying to reestablish order to this settlement following an aggressive business acquisition, and you will quickly find that the two the aggressors and the invadees follow differing (though equally awful) beliefs. Yet a speedy review of the messages on your vessel's computer show that this agency isn't precisely the world's most ethical authority either, as demonstrated by an answer to a distress call that notifies the contact it will take "3-5 business years" for a response to their message. (This period is about how long it takes for many people to reach a real help desk employee via telephone these days.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Various situations in this sequel are extremely familiar, but it's a cathartic sort of relatability, and the game achieves equilibrium between its grim future world with humor that's authentically amusing while avoiding inappropriate. One major theme is the rapid beginning of decline that happens to unfold in the wake of significant business mergers. Workers from each party of The Outer Worlds 2's significant consolidation find their existence decrease as a result, while the executives in charge of the hierarchy are, expectedly, collecting money rapidly.

Okay, at the very least I recognize where I stand.

Just like the initial release, this follow-up is naturally humorous, but additionally doesn't shy away to get serious. During a moment, while traveling around the game's first discoverable location, I stumbled across a deceased individual with an audio log close by. This message showed that this individual (associated with the programming faith group) had perished in an incident while attempting to locate and dispatch her lover. This loved one had apparently defected from their organization, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her partner's {traitorous